Ten things to consider when selecting or taking a pet portrait photo
When hand drawing your pet, I use photos to guide me. It’s therefore important to have a high enough quality photo for zooming in and seeing the actual strands of hair, fur patterns, and whiskers. The better the photo, the better the portrait! You may only have an existing photo of your friend, or you may be able to take one. Either way, you want the photo to capture your pet’s character and personality. As an artist I want to know just how special they are to you. Just like people, God created our pets individually and I want to catch that special something in their portrait.
A portrait will concentrate on the head and shoulders of your pet.
Portraits show your pet’s personality by highlighting their face. Just like people, your pet’s face will offer insights into their personality.
High-definition digital photos work the best because they capture the necessary detail.
You can use a Smart phone or digital camera with high resolution. Email the photo to me vs. texting to maintain the highest (“largest”) resolution. For many reasons, you might not be able to take a photo. If you only have a traditional photo—don’t worry, just mail me a copy to look at and let’s talk.
When photographing your pet get down on their level with them.
Typically, we look downward at our pets, but the best portraits happen when we see them on their level.
The eyes offer critical insights into your pet. They’re always the first thing I draw.
Like the poets, writers, and philosophers of the past have eloquently stated, the eyes present windows to the soul: These lamps, these lovely lamps, these windows of the soul… (Guillaume de Salluste du Bartas). Try to capture the varied specks of light and reflections in your pet’s eyes – they offer a contrast between the world they live in and the world inside them.
As a rule, try to take the photo in natural light or when natural light fills the room
Artificial light can play tricks on color and shadows, natural light is best, but with that said, I’ve seen some very nice indoor shots! Slightly overcast days will give you more uniformity of light, while more sunny days produce more pronounced shadows – it’s a matter of taste, sometimes the shadows overtake the face, which isn’t desirable, but having at least some shadow can offer nice contrasts. Do not use a flash – a pre-flash can distract your pet and the actual flash can distort color, cause stark shadows, eradicate natural shadows, and cause shinny or discolored eyes (blue-eye, red-eye, and other colors!).
Spend time watching your pet before you take photos.
How do they typically carry their ears and head? Try to capture what exemplifies their character: do they frequently cock their head to one side, do they carry their ears alert and pointed, are they relaxed and droopy, casual and floppy, perky and bouncy, etc.?
Try to fill about 1/3 of your camera frame with your pet
Remember that eye level is critical.
Avoid the Zoom
Using the zoom function on your phone’s camera can sometimes reduce resolution.
Get Close
Pictures of your pet at a distance probably won’t have the necessary detail for a portrait.
Consider the background color and design.
You want some contrast (e.g., a black dog on a dark background can create visual challenges). Typically, I prefer to avoid drawing detailed backgrounds since they can divert attention away from your pet.